When someone you love has an addiction, especially alcohol or drug abuse, it's likely that they will spend some time in a drug rehab center. One statistic I found said that 40-60% who go through rehab relapse in the first year. The numbers vary based on the type of addiction. Many go through rehab multiple times. That's why this post is titled 'The Rehab Roller Coaster.' There are ups and downs, big ups and deep downs. And it's usually a really long ride.

[This is part of a series on addiction from the perspective of one who loves the addict, not the addict him/herself.]

Apollo 13 is the NASA mission where an oxygen tank exploded on the way to the moon. The famous quote from this disaster is "Houston, we have a problem." This phrase is one we often use to indicate a serious problem that requires immediate attention.

When we become aware of the addiction of someone we love, we have a problem. It's serious, and it requires immediate attention. How we handle that problem matters. Unfortunately, there is not a guaranteed one-size-fits-all solution. In the movie Apollo 13, Mission Control in Houston works with the astronauts to find a solution. They try a lot of different things before they find the solution that will bring them home.

This is the beginning of a series on addiction. But it isn't about addicts; it is for those who love them. When a family member or friend is addicted, there is a great spiritual battle happening, not just in their life, but in the lives of those around them.